ἐνυπνιάζω (enupniazō)
enupniazō
to dream
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb enupniazō means to dream, specifically describing the experience of receiving visions while asleep. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, carrying a distinct theological weight because it is used for divinely suggested dreams rather than ordinary nighttime fantasies. It serves as the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew verb chalam, which is frequently found in the Old Testament when prophets or kings receive messages from God.
This divine connection is evident in its usage. Peter quotes Joel in Acts 2:17 to describe how God will pour out His Spirit, causing people to dream dreams as a sign of the last days. Similarly, Jude uses the present participle in verse 8 to criticize those who defile their bodies and reject authority, linking their behavior to the corrupting influence of false visions or dreams that lead them astray.
The word highlights how Scripture views sleep not merely as rest, but as a potential channel for spiritual communication. Whether these dreams are portrayed as gifts of prophecy in Acts or warnings against deception in Jude, enupniazō underscores the biblical belief that God can speak through the subconscious mind, demanding careful discernment from those who receive such messages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word enupniazō reminds us that God is not limited by our waking hours or conscious efforts. In Acts 2:17, Peter explains that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit includes dreams, showing that divine communication can reach us in unexpected ways. This suggests that sleep is not just a time for physical rest, but a space where God might share insights or visions with His people.
At the same time, Jude 1:8 warns us to exercise discernment. Not every dream carries spiritual weight, and some may even lead us away from truth. The biblical view invites us to remain open to God’s voice while staying grounded in Scripture. This balance helps us navigate the mysterious ways God speaks without falling into fear or confusion.
Ultimately, this word encourages a humble reliance on God’s wisdom. Whether through waking study or sleeping visions, we are invited to listen carefully and test all things against the clear teaching of the Bible. It is a gentle reminder that God cares enough to speak in ways that meet us where we are.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will dream.1×
- dreaming [ones]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνυπνιασθήσονται.1×
- ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 2:17
‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
This verse uses enupniazō to show that dreaming dreams is a sign of the Spirit's outpouring in the last days, linking ordinary sleep to prophetic activity.
-
Jude 1:8
Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.
Here the word describes false dreamers who use their visions to justify defying authority, highlighting the need for discernment when encountering supernatural claims.